Extended playing surface apparatus for table tennis

Abstract

The object of the present invention is to provide an extended playing surface for paddle / racquet-based games, in particular table tennis. A playing surface is provided comprising four curved rebounding surfaces each with a vertical rebounding side wall configured so that two curved surfaces attach or extend on each side of a substantially horizontal playing surface thereby forming a continuous rebounding playing surface. A net is positioned perpendicular to the length of the horizontal playing surface at its mid point, allowing two or more opposing players to use the curved, vertical sidewall and horizontal surfaces as rebounding surfaces to serve, return and rally a spherical target object over the net.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The field of this invention relates to table tennis or ping pong and variations of the game thereof. Currently, table tennis is played on a flat rectangular surface. The official dimensions of a table tennis table are a flat rectangular table positioned 2 feet 6-inches above the ground, with a 5-foot width, 9-foot length, a 6-inch net positioned midway between the length of the table having a 6-inch overhang on each side. The International Table Tennis Federation “ITTF” and the USA Table Tennis organization maintain the official rules of Table Tennis. The official USA Table Tennis rules are hereby incorporated by reference herein. The official USA Table Tennis rules are publicly distributed at http: / / www.teamusa.org / USA-Table-Tennis / Rules.aspx and at the time of this writing were last updated Sep. 1, 2010.[0002]There has been very limited innovation in the standard game of table tennis, and in particular, the surface on which the game itself is playe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The curved section is shaped as a section of an ellipse of radius “a” and radius “b”. Radius “a” and said radius “b” can be identical or different depending on the arc of the desired curved section. Again, one or more of the horizontal section, the curved section and the planar section can be transparent, translucent or opaque, and any combination thereof. The rebounding properties of said horizontal playing surface, curved playing surface and planar playing surface extension can be substantially the same in order to keep game play and ball bounce consistent. Alternatively, the rebounding properties of said horizontal playing surface, curved playing surface and planar playing surface extension can be made to be different from each other in order to create a more exciting game play environment.

[0011]It is another object of the present invention to provide an extended table tennis playing surface comprising a horizontal section, a curved section and a sidewall section. In a preferred embodiment, the horizontal section is comparable to a normal table tennis playing surface, a concave section is attached to each side edge of the horizontal section and a side wall is attached to each free edge of the concave section. All the connections between the horizontal sections, curved sections and sidewall sections are smooth and the produced effect is a smooth and continuous playing surface for the game of table tennis. The playing surface provided in a preferred embodiment comprises a substantial horizontal rectangular rebounding playing surface, a curved section attached to each side of the horizontal playing surface and flat rebounding side walls extending from the curved section to provide a continuous smooth playing surface for rebounding a ball. A net is provided midway on the horizontal playing surface perpendicular to the length of the horizontal playing surface. The table tennis playing surface now comprises the horizontal playing surface as well as the curved section and rebounding sidewalls. All surfaces are roughly the same elasticity to provide uniform rebounding properties when struck with a ball during game play; however, the rebounding qualities of each surface can be adjusted in alternative embodiments.

[0012]The substantial increase in playing surface area allows for a much greater variety of angled shots, faster and more rapid ball movement in both velocity and direction changes which can create a much more athletically intense, challenging and exciting game. In contrast, the substantial increase in playing surface area could also allow for an easier game, extending the average length of volleys, and allow children and / or unskilled players to keep the ball with the extended playing surface boundaries longer.

Problems solved by technology

There has been very limited innovation in the standard game of table tennis, and in particular, the surface on which the game itself is played.

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